Inclement Weather Information
School Closing Information
In preparation for the upcoming winter months, please take note of the Kutztown Area School District Emergency Closing and Delay Information. For the KASD 2023-24 school year, we may need to utilize several types of days:
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Inclement Weather: Delay or Early Dismissal School start will be delayed 2 or 3 hours, or students could be dismissed early to return home.
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Inclement Weather: School Closed School Closed days will be made up beginning with June 3 as indicated on the 23-24 KASD calendar.
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Inclement Weather: Flexible Instructional Days (FID) FID will include a blend of synchronous and asynchronous schedules developmentally appropriate to age and grade. Flexible Instructional Days are counted as regular days in the calendar. FID schedules vary by grade and will be communicated by each principal in advance.
Notification Systems
If it becomes necessary to close or delay school or enact a FID because of inclement weather, the announcement will be communicated via the Parent Link Phone/Email/Text System, as well as the District website and the following radio and TV stations:
District Website: www.kasd.org
FM Stations: WZZO-FM (95.1), WAEB-FM (104.1), WRFY-FM (102.5), WFMZ-FM (100.7), WCTO-FM (96.1), WIOV-FM (105.1), WLEV-FM (86.1), WBYN-FM (107.5)
AM Stations: WKAP-AM (1320), WAEB-AM (790), WRAW-AM (1340), WEST-AM (1400), WEEU-AM (850)
TV Stations: (69) WFMZ-TV, (3) CBS, (6) ABC, (10) NBC, (2) Kutztown Borough Cable, (8) WGAL-TV
Please refer to any of the above sources for weather related information. Please do not call the schools. Announcements will be made as early as possible, preferably by 6:00-6:15 a.m.
This year we will once again use both the 2-hour and 3-hour delay when appropriate to ensure the best educational experience based upon conditions and their impact on the safety of students and staff. Alternatively, if inclement weather would impact afternoon transportation, an early dismissal may be enacted.
Decision-Making Process
Many factors impact the decision whether to delay, close school, or enact a virtual learning day (FID) when inclement weather arises. The KASD attendance area is 99-square miles, geographically the largest district in Berks County. The weather conditions can vary across the District, where temperatures and precipitation can fluctuate greatly. Daily, our school buses and vans conduct nearly 1,300 bus stops, travel over 3,200 miles, and transport more than 1,400 students (KASD students, charter school students, and non-public school students). In addition, our grounds crew must have all properties prepared for the safe arrival of students and staff. All of these combined factors inform our decision regarding school closure, delay, or on-time opening.
The Kutztown Area School District has a comprehensive and time-efficient notification plan in place for updating our staff, parents, and students. As snow, ice, or other inclement weather situations arise that may affect the school day, the administration will contact our Transportation Coordinator, Eshelman Transportation Company, and Township/Borough road departments to determine the road conditions. The administration will then make a decision based on the information presented at the time whether to delay, close, or open school on time with the main purpose of maintaining student and employee safety.
Evening School Events – Snow Provision
In the event that schools are closed during regular daytime hours due to inclement weather, evening events may also be canceled. The Director of Athletics, Student Activities, and Community Relations will contact coaches/advisors as well as any outside organization regarding the status of evening school events, who in turn will be in contact with families.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we approach the winter season. Let's hope for an uneventful winter!